Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1887-06-18

student OF Japanese customs before the Re-
storatien. Interior decoration in coloring
and the intricate designs used, have al
ways been wonder and delight to for
eigners. To-day, of course, there is TO be
found school of foreign art, and
unlike most of their copying, the
japanese seem to catch the idea,
and show intelligent attempts, and
hope some day the common
paper chromos, which, strange to say, have
found place upon the walls of the art
gallery in the museum at Toxic, will give
up their nails and frames to something
from the brushes of these new artists.
JAPANESE PICTORIAL ART
VIII more or less always be looked upon
by foreigners somewhat in the light of
curiosity, rather than an accomplishment
of the God-given genius, but in her metal
work she does and will always live honored
among all nations. The beautiful bronze
vases, covered with highly-wrought forms
of dragons, flowers, fish and all the known
possible creations of nature and imagina-
ton, are works of art which can never die.
As in the days of the great Benvenuto Gel
lini, in old Italy, so has it been and still
is, though in lesser degree, the custom
in Japan for family to work
together in the production of
some artistic piece Melting, casting,
| polishing, as well as the first designing, be-
| ing all done within the home, where the
| subject is talked over and the object pro-
duced with all the ideas suggested by men
| tai endeavor to attain the nearest possible
point to perfection. 1t is a pleasant sight
| to come upon some bronze-worker with his
sons or apprentices before their little cot
tage, busy rubbing and cutting the differ
ent pieces of some huge vase for a temple
or a Buddha, in beatific repose upon the
lotus flower. The women also help, and
| the lasting family monument is at last
completed, to stand for thousand wears
the admiration of millions, when its hum.
Bile creators are forgotten. Perhaps one OF
the finest but least noticed products Of
meta[work in Japan are the
EXQUISITE MIRRORS
| Which are now discarded in favor of quick.
silyered-glass which comforts the face of a
pretty girl into that of an imp. These
metal mirrors, susceptible of the highest
polish, are composed Of copper, tin and
lead with silver, melted and nodded; they
are all old, and some bear designs upon
their backs, which might be well ranked
as works of art. They are first supposed
to have been made in the first century
! 700 years before any known written docll-
| ments, and formed the most valuable addi-
ton to every noble lady's possessions. The
mirror is disk with 4 wicker-bound
handle, the back ornamented with appro-
PIRATE designs; a curious aud unexplained
attribute of some of these is the power to
throw upon wall the design upon the
| back reflected from the face. This
is supposed to be accidental and the
mirrors which can do this are found by
chance. Mirrors used in the Shinto tenn
| pies are very large and without handle,
being set in bronze pedestal, which rep
resents clouds or waves, and is one of the
prettiest conceits | have seen in Japan.
The small wood and ivory carvings do not
| compare well with those Of Switzerland or
Nuremburg for delicate work or good effect.
The japanese do their best in using with
little or no change the many beautiful
gifts of nature which are by most people
overlooked, as worm-eaten wood or stones
of curious shapes, The great lesson have
| learned from japanese decorative art, is to
look about me and not try to make but
simply adapt what nature has already
done. CHAs. a. GUNNIsoN.